Sunday, February 17, 2008

Kingdom People posted this powerful clip from the television program, ER. The scene is a man dying of cancer speaking to a well-intentioned, feel- good- let's- ask- questions chaplain. Exasperated, the man exclaims at one point, "I need answers! I want a real chaplain who believes in a real God and a real hell....I want someone to look me in the eye and tell me how to find forgiveness because I'm running out of time."

These quasi intellectual games of relativism are all fun and games until we are on our deathbed facing what comes next. How do we face it?

"Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners..." (1 Tim. 1:15)."

This is what makes Christianity unique. Instead of turning us inward to look for answers in our personal black holes, Christianity points us away from ourselves and to the Lord Jesus. He in a class all by himself. He alone can give comfort and courage in the face of death because death no longer has the last word.

To all other to all other "answers," there is only one thing to say: "Get out! Get out!!! GET OUT!!!

Monday, February 11, 2008

"This side of eternity you and I are called to wait. We're called to recognize that the most important, most essential, most beautiful, and most lasting things in our life are things over which we have no control. No, these things are the gracious gifts of a loving Father. He never is foolish in the way he dispenses his gifts. He never plays favorites. He never mocks our neediness. He never plays bait and switch. He never teases or toys with us. His timing is always right and the gifts that he gives are always appropriate to the moment. He is kind, faithful, loving, merciful, and good....Somewhere in your life you are being called to wait. In your waiting, you are being given an opportunity to deepen and strengthen your faith. "

We've had four meetings of the new semester in RUF, and things are off to a good start. We are having around 30+ students attending, Geraldo has taught on the New Year and New Mission that Jesus came to launch in fulfilling the old promise of God (Luke 4:18-21). Last week I had the privilege of teaching our RUF group on the call of Abraham and the old promise that God set in motion to bless this world through Abraham and his descendents (Genesis 12). [Here's a few pics my wife took of the evening....]

Having taught in our seminary in Spanish (or more accurately, Spanglish!), this was my first opportunity to teach RUF in Spanish, that is, my first time to teach without a translator. I think I had everyone's attention, but I'm not convinced that they weren't straining trying to figure out what this gringo was trying to say. After, several folks said that they could understand about 90%, so I guess that's not a bad start. I still have far to go, but we're making progress!

Please be in prayer for our group. We are having around 30 students attending, and this year is in many ways a transition year with some of our previous leaders no longer in the university.

Tuesday, I'm launching a small group on sexual purity--a much needed study here as in the States. Wednesday evening, we're launching a new discipleship group that will ground folks in the basics of Christianity. This study is broken into 3 stages and students can progress through it and complete it in about 8 months. And of course, please continue to pray for our Spanglish!

Friday, February 1, 2008

My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going.I do not see the road ahead of me.I cannot know for certain where it will end.Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so.

But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you.And I hope I have the desire in all I am doing.I hope from that desire, and I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it.

Therefore I will trust you always,though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death.I will not fear for you are ever with me,and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.

This is the blog of John & Heather Ferguson keeping you up to date about life & ministry among the students & parish churches of Peru (& whatever else strikes our fancy). After spending seven years with RUF at Texas A&M University, the Ferguson's have moved to Peru to aid in the work of renewing northern Peru with the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!